Count Bassie

When I got the amp it came with the manual, and also with the Sunn 300T manual. The Sunn manual was a much better read: comprehensive, actual written text that was to be read by people using the amp. Friendly in tone and concise in content. The Fender Bassman 300 Pro manual was like a mail-in in comparison. The amp sounds effing gorgeous, and through the Bag End 18 is killer. I think I said something like that already, but it bears repeating... A musician friend told me the other night that this is likely the most responsible thing I've done, for gear at least, ever. She may be right.

No clips yet, and it's been busy around here so I'm very slow... The amp sounds beautiful. I'll get descriptive next time, but the tube power is very impressive. Clean, deep, and details however you want them. There are some presets in the manual, and you can get a drop dead Felix Pappalardi/Jack Bruce out of it. Through the SWR Big Ben it's really shines. I'm debating a Jensen loaded, re-hab'd 810, though it might be an awkward time for something that big.

I've wanted a Kubicki since there early 80s. Now they're starting to make them again. $4,800 US for a simple color, $5,100 for a burst finish. That was one of my grails... Now it's a mere first-world, 1%-er annoyance. Meh, screw them, I'm on with my playing. Perfect bass? The one I'm playing.

Oh whatever... 😂

I've been through way too much, but in this mod I've gotten the best feeling player and one of my favorite sounds ever. Old edition Hamer Cruisebass, chopped and modded with Rickenbacker 4003 p'ups and guts. A friend who was at art school did the graphics after I asked her for something "psychedelic"... I was a little taken aback, but I liked and appreciated it pretty quickly. I've gotten a lot of grief over this particular mod, and sometimes I do regret it somewhat... But I love playing it, and it is kind of a trademark now in my circle. Anyway, I bring you the Heckinhecker. Played it last night through the new-to-me Fender Bassman 300 Pro and confirmed it's place in my Favorites Ever list... I'm doing a new pickguard...

Might be an interesting idea to do some recording that way...

I was actually told that you can use KT-88s or 6550s, or any 8-pin tube, just replace, bias and balance. The thing that makes the 120s work is the extra transformer, which handles the filaments and keeps the main transformer from overheating. So I'm told.

It is possible to use 6550s or KT-88s, but I'm getting that what you're suggesting is way more radical, and would get the tube breakup I'm talking (trying to!) about. I'm still just getting to know the amp, we'll see down there road a'piece. I appreciate all the participation and contribution!

After hearing what it does with the present tube complement, I'm going to stop worrying it. I've never heard lows so pristine- reminds me a little of Dee Murray's clear, huge, round but defined sound on those old Elton John records. That's pretty cool.

Ha ha, ok... Pretty good, pretty good you guys... 😄

😅 Ok, fair enough!

Lol, yeah. Had to ask!

After a bit of playing through it, I'll just say I'm glad I went this way. This is a killer amp... I like that there is a certain amount of procedure to follow when using it, and the lows out of this head are spectacular. It's a sonic realm of it's own. I'll get healed up from my hernia and won't mind carrying it around one bit. 😅 Now I'm curious if a lower output power tube, like a KT-88, would get me some power section breakup without making anyone go deaf...

That's not really a small cab, that SWR Big Ben! Edit... I suppose that was the point... 😄

It's here. With lots of lows through the Big Ben it's almost arresting.

I got a Fender Bassman 300 Pro. 75 lbs, KT-120s, transformer mod, and (eventually) a *pair* of SWR Big Ben 18s. I'm gonna stay ripped and psyched into my 80s, lol... 🤣😁 That's super-cool that you made your own preamp though! My sense of humor sometimes wanders through barren places.

I'll be Bach... Lol, help move it...

Picking up Monday. Just ran into it, the timing was there. It's been modded with an extra transformer, to handle the extra draw created by six Tung Sol KT-120 power tubes. That's a bigger tube than stock specs allow, but the mod brings it within tolerance. I'm going to plug an Epiphone Thunderbird Classic Pro into it, and run out of a Bag End-loaded SWR Big Ben (1x18). Photos to follow, and hopefully some sound clips, because I'm pretty sure this is going to have been worth doing. This is how I'm starting the new year... This is novel indeed. I'm pretty pumped.

And yet, the point is the tube power section, isn't it... KT-120s... 🥲

Are you suggesting just getting a tube preamp instead of the Pro 300? Lol, I just re read my reply, and of course you are... And it's not a bad idea. I really don't have the bread to do this easily and a heavy tube pre is an interesting thought. Also a friend is offering me a Rickenbacker 4001s in super nice condition for almost the same $... I don't *need* any of this stuff...

I love a little enabling!

Yeah, I suppose. But the loss of the SVT was felt, that direct-out was a thing of beauty going to tape. A little dash of ambition would've saved it. The 300T, well, I bought a stupefying pile of presents and paid a couple bills. That one went to a better cause.

The SVT went because I was worried about the potential expense of tubes and maintenance. I was a new import to Rhode Island from Miami, where everyone wants to scalp you. I was living on my lousy paycheck and didn't want to be caught short. The Sun 300T went, years later, because it was a hard year and I had two young daughters who were going to need to have a Christmas... Here that means spending... I'm not sure either were great reasons.

Yes. Because I was younger, and dumber. (Even my scrawny derrière could carry them around fine...)

No! I wasn't trying to come off as snarky, I could have been more clear in saying that my particular quest is more personal in nature- I'm trying to re-up some inspiration, in part to take a shot at doing right by some old mistakes. No, in earnest I appreciate your contribution, thank you.